Indoor Air Quality

Have you ever wondered about the quality of your indoor air? Most people now spend about 90 percent of their time inside. The EPA has reported that indoor air can be anywhere from two to one hundred times more polluted than the air outside. This has led to increasing concern about the adverse effects of indoor air.

A variety of airborne contaminants can accumulate indoors, especially since so many South Carolina homes are tightly sealed and highly insulated. HVAC equipment that’s not maintained can cause indoor air pollution, as can cleaning fluids, pesticides, residential construction materials and home furnishings.

What Are The Symptoms Of Indoor Air Pollution?

Indoor air pollution can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the contaminants involved. Many symptoms are similar to those caused by colds and flu:

Runny nose

Sore throat

Watery, itchy, irritated eyes

Sneezing

Coughing

Rashes and/or dry skin

Respiratory problems

Congestion

Headaches

Fatigue

Nausea and vomiting

What Can I Do To Have Cleaner Indoor Air?

Have your furnace, heat pump and air conditioner serviced every year. Furnaces can leak carbon monoxide; they should be cleaned and inspected annually as well. Dirty air conditioners can harbor pollutants that are blown indoors whenever the unit cycles on. If your Goose Creek, Charleston or Summerville, SC, home has a central heating and cooling system, have your duct work checked periodically for accumulated dust, debris, pests and mold. If necessary, have the air ducts cleaned and sealed.

Make sure that the filters in your air conditioner, heat pump or furnace are kept clean. Most HVAC air filters should be cleaned or replaced every month. If you have pets or live in a dusty area, the air filters may need to be checked and changed more often.

Are There Products That Can Improve Indoor Air Quality?

There are a variety of effective, high-tech products that are specifically designed to trap harmful airborne particles and remove them from your South Carolina home. Air cleaners and air purifiers, for example, can be very beneficial for anyone who suffers from asthma, allergies and other respiratory problems.

Ventilators can introduce and circulate fresh air within closed indoor environments. Air humidifiers can restore balance to indoor air that’s too dry. UV lamps discourage the growth of mold, while carbon monoxide detectors alert you to the presence of this toxic and deadly gas.

To learn more about products that minimize indoor air pollution, or to find out how annual HVAC maintenance can help you have cleaner, healthier air, call the Air Quality Experts at Goose Creek Heating & Air Conditioning. Serving the Goose Creek, Charleston and Summerville, we can evaluate your indoor air, help you get rid of airborne contaminants and enjoy greater indoor comfort.